Calgary to host 2008 Junos

The Juno Awards will head out to the Wild West in 2008, as organizers announced on Wednesday that Calgarywill benext year's host city.

"Calgary has a thriving music scene. It's a place that so many musicians have played in their careers, obviously," said Melanie Berry, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Junos.

"Since we started taking [the awards] on the road, it's only natural that we'll come to all these cities that have such a great scene and are so supportive of Canadian music," she told CBC News.

The stop will be the travelling music awards show's second in the province, coming after the 2004 festivities in Edmonton.

Calgary will host a three-day weekend of Juno celebrations set to a theme of the "Wild West," organizers said beginning April 4, 2008. The event will culminate in the awards gala on April 6.

Russell Broom, a Calgary producer and songwriter, says hosting next year'sfestivities will give a boost to the city and its music community.

"A lot of times when bands are touring through Canada, you don't get a chance to spend a lot of time in Calgary. You come through, you play the show, then overnight you go to Edmonton or Vancouver," he said.

"So it's a chance to have a focus on Calgary for once, spend some time here and see what the city's really like."

Staging the Junos costsan estimated $1.5 million, but organizers say the annual event generates more than $10 million in spinoff revenue.

Since 2002, the Juno Awards Canada's most prominent musical honours have also been presented in St. John's, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg. The roving, cross-country stops allow organizers to shine the spotlight on local musicians during musical events and showcases ramping up to the main awards broadcast.

This year's gala is set for Saskatoon on April 1, with nominee and pop star Nelly Furtado set to host.

Organizers also announced on Wednesday additional performers for the upcoming lineup, with rockers Alexisonfire and solo artist City and Colour joining previously announced acts like Billy Talent, k-os, Three Days Grace and Gregory Charles.